Quanzhou, positioned on the southeast coast of China, emerges as a vital city in Fujian Province, known for its abundant rainfall and warm, humid climate. In 2010, the Quanzhou Taiwan Business Investment Zone was established, later upgraded to a national-level zone in 2012. Covering an area of 200 square kilometers with a population of approximately 228,000 people, the region plays a significant role in regional development.

In recent years, with the increasing urban population, the existing Chengdong booster station, supplying water to the investment zone, is near its operational limit, leading to insufficient water pressure during peak demand. To better meet the increasing water needs of businesses and residents and enhance the water supply system’s resilience, the Quanzhou Water Group decides to construct a second water supply network.

Chen Wenxiong, from the Municipal Engineering Branch of Quanzhou Water Group Co., provides insights into the project. The second water supply pipeline, originating from the Chengdong booster station and spanning around 7 kilometers, requires pressure boosting along the network. After on-site surveys and optimization, a new booster pump station is planned beneath the Houzhu Bridge, strategically located between Chengdong and the investment zone.

Due to the growing scarcity of available land for construction, traditional booster pump stations require the construction of clearwater reservoirs and disinfection facilities. This not only occupies a large land area but also entails high daily management and maintenance costs,” says Chen Wenxiong. “For this new booster pump station, we not only prioritize water supply stability but also aim to balance energy efficiency and smart management, aligning with the overarching trend in our water management.”

Grundfos, based on Quanzhou Water’s project requirements, conducted a comprehensive pressure assessment of the pipeline system by analyzing upstream and downstream pressures. This evaluation affirmed the feasibility of constructing a network booster pump station.

Diverging from traditional pump stations, the stacked pressure technology employed by the network pump station directly integrates into the municipal pipeline network, utilizing the upstream pipeline’s precedent pressure to significantly reduce the station’s energy consumption. Additionally, as it applies pressure directly through the pipeline network, there is no need to construct a clearwater reservoir. This not only reduces the land footprint of the pump station but also lowers the amount of civil engineering and associated costs. The fully enclosed environment prevents tap water from exposure to air, avoiding secondary pollution. This, in turn, reduces the need for repeated disinfection, ensuring enhanced water quality and hygiene safety.

In November 2022, the network pump station commenced operations, providing an additional layer of security for the Investment Zone’s water supply. With a daily water supply of 10,000 tons, the annual electricity cost savings are approximately between RMB280,000 to RMB300,000. The remarkable energy-saving effect is attributed, in part, to the unique design of the pump station, which effectively utilizes the pressure from the preceding pipeline. Additionally, the pump station system incorporates the latest generation of the Grundfos water pump dedicated controller, CU352, with energy-saving control features. It can optimize the system based on real-time monitoring during operation, resulting in an additional 15% energy savings compared to conventional frequency conversion systems.

Through the intelligent monitoring system of the pump station, unmanned and automated operation is achieved. It integrates with the “Water Brain” platform and coordinates with other pump stations, assisting Quanzhou Water Group in leveraging the intelligent platform to enhance management efficiency while reducing operational costs. Chen Wenxiong stated, “Our water group staff can remotely monitor the real-time operation of the pump station, not only reducing the workload of daily inspections but also improving the convenience of daily maintenance.”

Chen Wenxiong expresses satisfaction with Grundfos’ comprehensive technical and service support throughout the project’s phases. As the first and only operational large network pump station in Fujian, it transforms water supply systems in Chengdong, Donghai, and the Taiwan Business Investment Zone into a dual-loop circular water supply network. This crucial development alters the previous single-line water supply scenario in the Donghai area and the Taiwan Business Investment Zone, providing essential “double insurance” for urban water supply security.